Letter: Walmart, shoppers come through for SPCA

On April 21, the SPCA of Tompkins County held a “Shop & Share” event at Walmart. As shoppers entered the store, volunteers distributed a small flyer listing “Urgently Needed Items,” such as canned dog/cat and puppy/kitten food, paper towels, latex gloves, hand sanitizer, hot dogs (for training), and other items we run out of and must replace. This is money not spent on vet care and medicines.

The generosity of Walmart shoppers in Tompkins County was overwhelming. As they exited the store, they dropped off a can or two of dog food, a roll or two of paper towels, a box of canned kitten food — a wide spectrum of items and quantities that really added up. One family left us with a whole shopping cart full of donated items. As we were loading the afternoon’s accumulation into our transport van, one of us declared, “This is Christmas!”

We are writing to give public expression to our gratitude for the awesome spirit of Tompkins County Walmart shoppers who gave a little extra that helped a whole lot, and to Walmart management for its promotion and support of the event. From the shelter animals and from us: Thank you!